Bumper for vehicles



April 14, 1925. 1,533,988

A. M. GODWIN BUMPER FOR VEHI CLES Filed June 19, 1924 6110: neg

Patented Apr. 14, 1925.

FFI CE.

TET

ARTHUR M. GODWIN, 0F GRAND RAPIDS. MICHIGAN, AS'SIGNOR TO WOLVERINE BUMPER & SPECIALTY COMPANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

BUMPER non vnHIoLns.

' Application filed June 19, 1924. Serial No. 720,938.

State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bumpers for Yehicles, of which the following is a speclfication.

The present invention relates to bumpers for vehicles; and its object is, generally, to provide an improved device ofthat character whereby the vehicle may be protected from injuries which might otherwise result from contact with extraneous objects.

This and any other and more specific objects hereinafter appearing are attained by, and the invention finds preferable embodiment in, the structure hereinafter partic ularly described in the body of this spec].-

- fication and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan View of a bumper for vehicles, with supporting or mounting members therefor;

Figure 2 is a face view thereof;

Figure '3 is a top plan view of a modlficd construction of the same; and

Figure 4 is a top plan view of theend carried at its front or rear end. This bumper comprises two connected spring elements, formed of resilient steelbars, via: an impact element, designated generally 1, adapted to receive the thrusts from extraneous objects, and a second spring element 2 whereby the impact element is supported and the bumpers cushioning resiliency augmented. The impact element desirably comprises a pair of members 3, 3 disposed parallelly, one above the "other, and having outer end portions 4, 4 (i. e., portions adjacent the sides of the vehicle) which are curved toward the vehicle, as seen at 5, and preferably then curved outwardly as seen at 6. The bumpers second spring element 2 is secured adjacent its outer end 7 to the impact elements said end portion preferably turnably as shown about a vertical pintle 8. The second spring element 2 has an inner end portion 9 curved toward the impact element 1 and outwardly (1. e,, toward the adjacent side of the vehicle) and secured, preferably rigidly as shown, to the impact element 1. This ele-' ment 2 may extend in a line approximately stralght 1n a horizontal plane between its point of attachment with the curved outer end of the impact element to the curved inner end portion 9 of the element 2 as shown in Figure 3; preferably however, this element 2 has a portion intermediate its said ends which extends from its said outer end in a curve,'iirst toward the vehicle as shown at 10 and then reversely as shown at 11.

In the preferable construction illustrated, the second spring element 2 is secured to the outer end of the impact element 1 between the two members 3, 3 thereof; and its lnner end portion is secured to the impact element between said members, in any suitable'or well known way, as by the clamp members 12, 13 drawn together as by the screw bolt 141 The bumper may be mounted on the vehicle in any suitable manner and by any well known means, as by the members 15 which are preferablyresilient and are preferably clampedto the second sprlng elements 2 by clamp members 16, ll' drawn together by screw bolts 18, these members 15 being secured to the vehicle in any suitable or well known manner.

In Figures 1 2 and 3, Ya bumper extending from SlClQ'tO side of the vehicle is shown, comprisingidentically formed end parts. for use on the front of the vehicle.

In Figure 4' however, is illustrated a bumper comprising the parts at one end only of the structure shown inthe other views. his bumper shown in Figure4 is particularly adapted for use at the rear of the vehicle, and adjacent one side thereof, the end portion 4 being outsidei. e., next the adjacent side of the vehicle.

It will be seen that my bumper is pe-' This form is particularly adapted by the main portion itself oi": that resilient element, but also by its curved end portions -l and by the second spring element its curves inner end 9; while a thrust directed against (or near to) the curved end portion ot the impact element 1 is cushioned by said curved end portion and by the curved inner end portion 9 of second eien'icnt 2, and also, where this second element is curved at 10 and 4 such curvature augments the cushioninocncct of the second element- .4.

The invention being intended to he pointcd out in the claims, is not to be limited to or by details of construction of: the particular embodiment or embodiments thereof illustrated by thedrawings or hcrcinhctorc described.

I claim:

1. In a horizontally disposed bun'iper tor vehicles"extending transversely thereot: a spring impact element having; an end portion curved toward th' vehicle; a second spring element secured ad acent its outer end to the impact elcments sa d en 1 ortion u. turna'bly about a vertical i a and having an inner end portion curved toward the ill pact element and outwardly and secured to the impact element; means for mou ting; the bumper on the "ehicle secured thereto and to said second element int rmediate its outer end and its said inner end portion.

2. In horizontally disposed bumper for vehicles extending transversely thereof: a spring impact element having an one portion cu red toward the vehicle; a second spring clemeut secured adjacent its outer end to the impact clements said end portion turnably about a vertical axis and having an inner end portion curved toward the impact element andoutwardlv and riggidl cured to the inmact element; mean mounting the buni 'ier on the vehi thereto and to said second cl int inter mediate its outer end and its said inner cm portion.

l thereof: a air of spring:

vehicles extending tr *ersc impact element cou'iprisnrc a members disposed parallelly one above the other and havin outer end portions curved toward the vehicle; a second spring: element secured adgacent its outer end to and bein and 3. In a horizontally disposed bumper for tion curved toward the vehicle; a second spring element secured adjacent its outer end to the impact elcments said end portion turnablv about a vertical axis. and having an intermediate portion encoding from outwardly; a second spring element securml adjacent its outer end to the end of the iiupact niemheids said portion and having an inner end portion curved toward the impact element and outwardly and secured to the impact element; inc for mouniting the bumper on the vehicle, secured thereto and to said second element intermediate its outer end and its said inner end portion.

6. ln horizontally disposer. bumper for ix/hiclcs extending transversely theicot: a spring impact member having: end portions curved toward the vehicle; pair of second spring members secured adjacent their outer ends to the impact members said end portions respectively turnably about vertical axes, and having inner end portions curved toward the impact member and outwardly and secured to the impactincinber; means for mounting the bumper on the vehicle, secured thereto and to said second members respectively intermediate their outer ends and their said ii'iner end portio r 7.111 a horizontally disposed bumper for ehicies ext-ending trausvemoiy thcreot: a sp inc; impact element having an involuted one portion extcudii toward the vehicle; a second spring element connected adjacent its outer end to the impact elemcnts said end portion; mounting; means for the bump connected to said second clement remote from the point of its said connection to the impact element. i J

8. In a horizontally disposed bumper for vehicles extending" transversely thereof: .a spring; impact element luiviugan involuted end portion extending toward the vehicle;

a second springelenient pivotally connected adjacent its outer nd to the impact elements said end portion; mounting; means for the bumper connected to said second element remote from the point of its said connection to theimpact element.

In testiinonv whereof I have hereunto set mvhand at Grand Rapids Michigan, this 9th day of June. 1924.

i ARTHUR M. GODVVIN. 

